Paying Taxes In Thailand.

[coalminer]

Hi,

I was reading another thread (New Entrance Fees For National Parks), and in this thread someone said that if you pay taxes in Thailand you have a "TAX-Id" card.

I live in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant/Retirement visa.

Although the taxes I pay in Thailand are reduced to a real minimum, I pay in total every year around 5,000 Baht in taxes on the interest of my bank account(s) and this sum is increasing every year.

But I dont have a TAX-Id card or at least I didn't receive any such card that I'm aware off.

Can anybody shade a light on this and clearifiy?

Thanks in advance,

Coalminer

[Furbie]

Hi,

I was reading another thread (New Entrance Fees For National Parks), and in this thread someone said that if you pay taxes in Thailand you have a "TAX-Id" card.

I live in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant/Retirement visa.

Although the taxes I pay in Thailand are reduced to a real minimum, I pay in total every year around 5,000 Baht in taxes on the interest of my bank account(s) and this sum is increasing every year.

But I dont have a TAX-Id card or at least I didn't receive any such card that I'm aware off.

Can anybody shade a light on this and clearifiy?

Thanks in advance,

Coalminer

I do not have a "tax ID card", but I do have a Thai Social Security Card, which means I do pay income taxes (though SS is itemized on my pay stub). That along with my DL is usually what I use to prove I am not a tourist and should have the Thai price - though I must say it does not always work and I avoid the national parks for the most part as they are overpriced - though the new system may rectify this.

Edited December 4, 2007 by Furbie

[thaihome]

Actually I think the Tax-Id card is used for VAT purposes. You show the merchant the card and they will give you VAT receipt (in the name of the company on the card) and it allows your company to deduct that amount from the VAT they pay.

TH

[dkstoney]

The Tax ID card is not used for VAT purposes. I've worked here in Thailand as a teacher with a work permit for about 8 years total now and every year my wife and I have to pay taxes. The first year I paid taxes I was issued with a taxpayer identification number with my name above it on a cheap paper card which I had laminated. Every year I have to provide my tax returns before I can renew my visa and work permit. I keep this now laminated card in my wallet and present it anytime there is a discrepancy regarding park fees and I have been given the lower Thai price every time. It is given to you when you file taxes the first time. If you don't have one you can go down to the tax department, give them proof of ID and your taxpayer number if you know what it is and request a card.

Good luck.

[PattayaParent]

As dkstoney says it's your tax account number at the tax records office and you can request it at your local tax office.

Mine is done automatically by the company as it's related to tax of income but I've never heard of anyone paying tax on interest in a bank account before?

I'd ask your bank for a statement of the taxes paid and which office they paid them to and go down there and ask for a card.

I've been refused the lower admission prices with a tax card mind, they don't prove that you live and pay tax in the country NOW (mine's dated 13 years ago when I first came and is still valid) most places wil ask for a current drivers license, and I always have a copy of my current work permit in the car too.

[coalminer]

As dkstoney says it's your tax account number at the tax records office and you can request it at your local tax office.

I've read "dkstoney" response and it explained a lot.

Thanks "dkstoney" for the response.

Mine is done automatically by the company as it's related to tax of income but I've never heard of anyone paying tax on interest in a bank account before?

See included scan of the documents from Bangok Bank where I have an account.

Read: Interests above 10,000 Baht are subject to taxes.

I'd ask your bank for a statement of the taxes paid and which office they paid them to and go down there and ask for a card.

I've already send Bangkok Bank an email and asked them to provide my TAX-Id number.

I've been refused the lower admission prices with a tax card mind, they don't prove that you live and pay tax in the country NOW (mine's dated 13 years ago when I first came and is still valid) most places wil ask for a current drivers license, and I always have a copy of my current work permit in the car too.

I don't go often to National Parks or any other such places.

Thailand has much more to offer than a few animals in a cage or dancing for a few tourists.

But untill now, every time I went to any of these places, I simply showed my Thai drivers license as identification and got the Thai entry price.

In Phuket Zoo they gave me the Thai entry price, but only after writing my name in a "visitor book" (records???).

[TerryLH]

"I do not have a "tax ID card", but I do have a Thai Social Security Card, which means I do pay income taxes (though SS is itemized on my pay stub)."

Having a Social Security card does not assure that you are paying income tax. They are two different taxes, and should be itemized seperately on your pay stub.

"I've already send Bangkok Bank an email and asked them to provide my TAX-Id number."

Banks do not provide you with a tax number. The tax office does.

If a bank is taking out tax, it is not being credited to your account/tax number. The bank will do a payment based on the total due from the deposits they have to pay from. Your bank book should show what's taken, but to make millions of small payments using individual tax numbers would be too much of a burden.

"It is given to you when you file taxes the first time. If you don't have one you can go down to the tax department, give them proof of ID and your taxpayer number if you know what it is and request a card."

You won't know what it is unless you have already been given one.

I would suggest getting a tax number once you start working. That way any tax deductions your employer takes out can be credited to your account each month.

If your employer is withholding taxes each payday, and you don't have a tax number, take a guess who is using your money.

Edited December 4, 2007 by TerryLH

[Furbie]

"I do not have a "tax ID card", but I do have a Thai Social Security Card, which means I do pay income taxes (though SS is itemized on my pay stub)."

Having a Social Security card does not assure that you are paying income tax. They are two different taxes, and should be itemized seperately on your pay stub.

"I've already send Bangkok Bank an email and asked them to provide my TAX-Id number."

Banks do not provide you with a tax number. The tax office does.

If a bank is taking out tax, it is not being credited to your account/tax number. The bank will do a payment based on the total due from the deposits they have to pay from. Your bank book should show what's taken, but to make millions of small payments using individual tax numbers would be too much of a burden.

"It is given to you when you file taxes the first time. If you don't have one you can go down to the tax department, give them proof of ID and your taxpayer number if you know what it is and request a card."

You won't know what it is unless you have already been given one.

I would suggest getting a tax number once you start working. That way any tax deductions your employer takes out can be credited to your account each month.

If your employer is withholding taxes each payday, and you don't have a tax number, take a guess who is using your money.

My company always pays my taxes, so I have no idea what my number is (though I am sure its on my return). However, I do have an S.S. card (which in my mind and that of anyone I have shown it to demonstrates I pay taxes, as it is a bit early for me to retire. How many ex-pats have a Thai S.S. card as a part of retirement?). Why would one pay S.S. tax if they were not also paying income tax? And yes, the two taxes are itemized separately on my stub, but I only have an SS card.

Edited December 7, 2007 by Furbie

[thaihome]

The Tax ID card is not used for VAT purposes. I've worked here in Thailand as a teacher with a work permit for about 8 years total now and every year my wife and I have to pay taxes. The first year I paid taxes I was issued with a taxpayer identification number with my name above it on a cheap paper card which I had laminated. Every year I have to provide my tax returns before I can renew my visa and work permit. I keep this now laminated card in my wallet and present it anytime there is a discrepancy regarding park fees and I have been given the lower Thai price every time. It is given to you when you file taxes the first time. If you don't have one you can go down to the tax department, give them proof of ID and your taxpayer number if you know what it is and request a card.

Good luck.

Sounds good to me. I do indeed pay Thai Income tax, but is is handled by our accounting dept and though I review the translation and sign the return each year, I have never been given or asked for a Tax ID card.

I guess our accountants assume the increased amount for the national parks is not something we worry about...

I have heard a Thai DL will do the same thing.

TH